By the end of this activity, the nurse will be able to:

1. Discuss factors that can influence increased intracranial pressure (ICP)
2. Perform RIKER scale assessment.
3. Define the components of cardiac output and the normal assessment parameters
4. Describe the necessary interventions for patients with altered preload, afterload, and cardiac output
5. Describe the initial assessment and management of a patient with sepsis
6. Define the etiologic and clinical presentations of the major categories of shock
7. Discuss the frontline management and nursing interventions for each of the major shock states
8. Identify causes, symptoms, and treatments common in patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)
9. Discuss causes of and nursing interventions of patients presenting with Heart Failure and cardiomyopathies
10. Perform set-up of Swan-Ganz monitor.
11. Describe ventilator settings, ventilator alarms, and interventions within nursing practice for UPMC Central PA region nurses.
12. Perform care of mechanically ventilated patient.
13. Discuss the management and complications of the ventilated patient
14. Describe the 4 major acid-base disorders and changes that occurs in each and determine if compensation is present
15. Discuss causes, patient presentation, and treatment for the 4 major acid-base disorders
16. Identify important aspects of an artificial airway to include indications, complications, and management.
17. Provide the appropriate sequence of stimulation when assessing level of consciousness in both awake and non-awake patients
18. Identify three laboratory tests used in assessing renal function
19. Describe the pathophysiology of the three types of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)
20. Discuss the causes and treatment for three types of Acute Kidney Injury
21. Discuss the nursing care priorities for patients with DKA (Diabetic Ketoacidosis)
22. Discuss nursing care priorities for patients with hypoglycemic emergency
23. Discuss the need for chest tubes and describe the function of a chest tube in a patient with a pleural effusion
24. Perform care of the patient with a chest tube.
25. Describe the pathophysiology of ARDS
26. Describe the three distinct features of dementia versus delirium and assessment tool used for each
27. Discuss nursing care and interventions for the patients and families at end of life
28. Discuss the use of Target Temperature Management
29. Identify causes, symptoms, and common treatments for Stroke patients
30. Perform NIHSS assessment.
31. State importance of ensuring nutrition for the critically ill patient
32. Perform care of patient with tracheostomy and laryngectomy
33. Discuss the care and hemodynamic results of patients in Shock
34. Discuss the different types of blood products and their use